Archive

Protest risk builds around Senate collusion ruling and ballot barcode case Bangkok Post · Sep 13, 2026

Sondhi Limthongkul has started a campaign on "transnational grey capital" with embassy protests, but analysts say it is not yet a mass movement. Two dates matter: the Election Commission's decision on Monday over 229 people accused of colluding in the 2024 Senate election, and the Constitutional Court ruling on Sept 28 on whether ballot barcodes breach secret voting before February's national election. A ruling that is widely seen as unfair could widen protests, so expect political noise and possible road or site disruptions in Bangkok. For most SME owners, plan for short-term uncertainty and no change to daily operations yet.

Blackchin tilapia now in 21 provinces, government seeks 350 million baht more Bangkok Post · Sep 13, 2026

The Agriculture Ministry may ask for about 350 million baht more to fight blackchin tilapia, now reported in 21 provinces. The 2027 fiscal budget has 70–90 million baht set aside. A special committee and provincial rapid-response task forces are being set up, following a Sept 8 Administrative Court ruling against the Fisheries Department. For most SMEs this is background, but fish farmers and waterway-dependent businesses in affected provinces, such as Chon Buri, should watch for enforcement and removal operations near them.

Bangchak pipeline shut since 8 September; no leak found in pressure test, fuel delivery backup plan in place The Standard Wealth · Sep 12, 2026

After oil contamination was reported in drains near Charoen Phlu Road and under the Rama 3 elevated road, Bangchak's subsidiary BFPL stopped sending fuel through the pipeline from the morning of 8 September. A pressure test at 28 barg for one hour on 11 September found no leak. More checks (ultrasonic, radar, and an intelligent pig inspection next week) must clear before the Department of Energy Business allows the pipeline to restart. Bangchak says it has a backup transport plan to keep fuel supply to customers going. If your business relies on fuel deliveries in the Rama 3 or Khlong Toei area, expect possible supply or logistics disruption until the restart is approved.

SCB EIC survey: half of 50,000–100,000 baht earners worry about mortgage payments, and banks are staying strict on home loans The Standard Wealth · Sep 12, 2026

SCB EIC's 2026 real estate survey finds most mortgage borrowers are still paying on time, but nearly half of those earning 50,000–100,000 baht a month are worried about future repayments, and that share rose from last year. NPL ratios on housing loans remain high in Q1 2026, and banks say lending standards will not loosen much soon. For a Thai SME owner, expect weaker demand for property and home-related purchases from middle-income customers, and tighter credit if you apply for loans with property as collateral or a personal home loan.

Interior Ministry proposes 75 billion baht rooftop solar subsidy for 1.5 million homes Prachachat · Sep 12, 2026

The Interior Ministry has sent a proposal to the Finance Ministry's loan-fund review committee for a rooftop solar subsidy: 50,000 baht per household for 1.5 million homes, up to about 75 billion baht. It is not yet approved; a announcement comes only if it passes. Installers will be chosen through the PEA and MEA systems, with about 2,300 registered companies; the ministry says the PEA will install 300,000–400,000 roofs itself and private firms will handle the rest. Payment for power sales up to 5 kW only starts after smart meters and two-way grid connection are in place. Solar installers and suppliers should register on the approved list and watch for the announcement; homeowners should expect payment only after grid connection work is done.

Chiang Mai's winter flight schedule adds 6 direct routes from the Middle East, China and Korea Prachachat · Sep 12, 2026

Chiang Mai airport says 5 airlines will run 6 direct routes in the Winter Schedule starting late October 2026, including Etihad Abu Dhabi–Chiang Mai, plus routes to Jinghong, Shanghai and Incheon. Airport expects about 9.97 million passengers for 2026, but Jan–Aug traffic was roughly flat year on year (6.53 million), and international passengers rose 14%. Chinese and Korean visitors are over half of international passengers. If your business relies on these markets, plan for more high-season visitors from late 2026; keep an eye on fuel-driven schedule changes.

Bangchak finds no leak in Klong Toey fuel pipeline after oil seepage scare Bangkok Post · Sep 12, 2026

Bangchak says inspections and a pressure test found no leaks in the Chuea Phloeng Road pipeline in Klong Toey, which feeds Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports. Operations were suspended on Tuesday and further testing (ultrasonic, radar, pigging) is planned. The company says it will compensate affected residents if damage is confirmed. For most small businesses this changes nothing directly; if you operate near the Rama III or Klong Toey area, watch for road works or local water and oil contamination notices.

Bangkok's housing expo pairs buyers with developers offering rent-to-own, as unsold stock weighs on the sector Prachachat · Sep 12, 2026

Bangkok's BKK Housing Matching platform runs a second housing expo on 9-11 October 2026 at the Bangkok Youth Center (Thai-Japan), with 30 developers offering homes priced from 1-3 million baht and a target of 1,000 bookings. The first round logged 60 units (56 booked, 4 transferred). Developers are pushing rent-to-own ("เช่า-ออม") deals to clear old stock, and the Thai Real Estate Association says Bangkok will tax land held over 3 years. For a builder, contractor, or supplier to property projects, expect slower sales and more buyer-financing offers; for a small firm selling to home buyers, rent-to-own options may be worth exploring.

Bangchak pipeline near Rama 3 passes pressure test, but fuel flow stays halted until energy department approves restart Prachachat · Sep 12, 2026

Oil contamination was found in drainage near Charoen Rama 3 / Fuel Road. Bangchak's subsidiary BFPL stopped pipeline fuel flow from 8 September. A 28 barg, one-hour pressure test showed no leaks, but more checks (UT, radar, intelligent pig next week) must finish before the Department of Energy Business approves restart. For businesses in Khlong Toei and along the Rama 3 corridor, expect possible delays in fuel deliveries; if you buy or ship fuel by road or rail, ask your supplier about backup transport. No cost or rule change for most SMEs yet.

Unregistered GLP-1 weight-loss pens seized in Nonthaburi: check your supplier and product registration Bangkok Post · Sep 12, 2026

Police and the FDA seized unregistered peptide/GLP-1 weight-loss injection pens worth about 52 million baht in Bang Yai, Nonthaburi, from an online seller doing roughly 8 million baht a month. Under Thai law, modern drugs sold without a licence are illegal, and GLP-1 drugs need a prescription and doctor supervision; online sales and self-dosing are not allowed. If your business sells, promotes or supplies health, beauty or slimming products, or advertises them on social media, confirm every product has an FDA registration number before you list it. Also be cautious about any "weight-loss" items sold online without a doctor's involvement.

US inflation holds at 3.4% in August, so the Fed may hold rates on 15-16 Sep and signal a hike later The Standard Wealth · Sep 12, 2026

US CPI rose 0.4% month on month in August and stayed at 3.4% year on year, in line with forecasts. KResearch expects the Fed to hold its policy rate at 3.50-3.75% at the 15-16 September FOMC, with one hike possible for the rest of 2026 if inflation does not accelerate beyond expectations. Oil above US$100 a barrel and record US diesel prices add pressure. For a Thai SME, this is background: a firmer US rate path can strengthen the dollar and push up Thai borrowing costs over time, so review any variable-rate loans and dollar-linked import costs, but no action is needed this week.

Scammers now target students with on-ground cash and valuables pickups, so warn staff and family Prachachat · Sep 12, 2026

Krungthai Bank warns that scammers are increasingly targeting students, posing as mobile operators, police, AMLO or DSI and claiming the victim is linked to mule accounts, drugs or money laundering. Victims are told not to tell family, pushed to transfer money for "verification", and now told to withdraw cash, leave gold, amulets or watches at meeting points, or hand them to "runners" who collect in person. Real officials never ask for transfers or asset checks, never investigate over video call, and never ask you to keep secrets from family. If approached, hang up, tell someone close, and verify directly. Check with AOC 1441 (24 hours) if unsure.

Thai Help Thai Plus cash handout may be extended 1-2 months, and Thai Thiao Thai Plus starts registering 1 October Prachachat · Sep 12, 2026

The 1,000-baht monthly cost-of-living handout is due to end in September, but the Finance Minister is considering extending it by 1-2 months. Thai Thiao Thai Plus opens registration on 1 October through the Paotang app and starts 1 November: up to 1 million hotel-stay rights (up to 1,500 baht each), plus e-Coupons for restaurants, spas and tourism at 50% government / 50% customer co-payment, max 5 rights per person. Restaurants, spas and shops in the scheme should plan for a Q4 demand lift, but confirm the extension before budgeting for it. The columnist warns that consumer confidence is below 50 and purchasing power is weak, and that rising energy costs may push SMEs toward price increases, which would hurt demand.

Gold prices rose 200 baht today, with jewellery at 69,050 baht per baht weight Prachachat · Sep 12, 2026

Gold Traders Association prices as of 9:03 on 12 Sep 2026: bar gold buy 68,050 / sell 68,250 baht per baht weight; jewellery (96.5%) buy 66,688.84 / sell 69,050 baht. Up 200 baht from yesterday's close. Global spot is about US$4,349/oz. If your business buys or sells gold, or takes gold as collateral, reprice against the latest announcement. The buy-sell spread on jewellery is about 2,360 baht, so check the spread before trading.

TAT expects 250,000 Chinese visitors over October Golden Week, up 24% Prachachat · Sep 12, 2026

The Tourism Authority of Thailand forecasts about 250,000 Chinese arrivals during the 13-day Golden Week holiday (25 September to 7 October 2026), up 24%, bringing roughly 11,500 million baht in tourism revenue, up 37%. Advance flight bookings are up 16%, and the top source cities are Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Hangzhou and Chongqing. Direct flights have been added to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Udon Thani. If your business serves Chinese tourists (shops, restaurants, tours, hotels in those cities or routes), plan stock and staffing for late September and early October. The figures are TAT forecasts, not outcomes.

Draft PDP 2026 power plan to be finalised by year-end, with electricity around 3.83 baht per unit Prachachat · Sep 12, 2026

Thailand's draft PDP 2026 power plan is due to be finalised by year-end. Public comments closed on 15 September 2026, and the energy minister then takes the plan to the National Energy Policy Council and the Cabinet. Four options are on the table; the industry-backed Option 4 (Net Zero by RE & CCS) targets 73% clean power at an average tariff of about 3.8364 baht per unit, versus 3.8267 for the base case. The FTI wants the plan reviewed every 1-2 years and domestic gas prioritised to reduce LNG import risk. For SME owners, the outcome will shape long-run power costs, so budget for tariffs near 3.8 baht per unit and watch the final decision rather than acting now.

KResearch expects one Fed rate hike this year, but not at the 15-16 Sept meeting Prachachat · Sep 12, 2026

KResearch expects the US Fed to hold its policy rate at 3.50-3.75% at the 15-16 Sept 2026 FOMC meeting, then raise it once before year-end. August US inflation was steady at 3.4% YoY. For a Thai SME, the effect is indirect: a firmer US rate path can keep US bond yields high and support the dollar, which may shift baht pricing and imported-cost planning. No immediate action is needed; keep an eye on the baht if you import US-priced inputs or carry USD debt.

Bank of Thailand backs a gold transaction tax and reporting by gold shops Prachachat · Sep 12, 2026

The BoT governor said it supports the government considering a specific business tax on gold transactions, with gold shops required to report who they sell to and how much. The proposal is at the consideration stage only. Example: at 0.01%, a 70,000 baht gold purchase would pay 7 baht. Gold shop owners should expect more customer-identification and reporting requirements if it proceeds. The BoT already requires reporting for app-bought gold withdrawals over 2 kg and 10 million baht. It is also working with the SEC to close off USDT channels.

Only the headline is available. Saudi Arabia has shut an oil pipeline while Houthis tighten control over Red Sea shipping, which could raise freight and fuel prices. Watch fuel surcharges and import delivery times this quarter.

Bank of Thailand tightens cash and gold limits, and SMEs taking large cash deposits or withdrawals face reporting duties Prachachat · Sep 12, 2026

The Bank of Thailand, with 11 financial associations, is tightening rules against "grey money" and illegal flows. Cash withdrawals over 5 million baht already need reporting; from October 2026 cash deposits over 5 million baht will require the source of funds. Online gold trades over 2 kg or 10 million baht must be reported, foreign currency buying is capped at 800,000 baht per person per day, and transfer limits will vary by risk group. If your business handles large cash deposits, FX exchange or gold purchases, prepare source-of-funds documents and expect banks to ask more questions.